Psephotus Parrakeeis at Liberty. 39 



The followint,^ sprinj:;: the pair nested, but just about the 

 time when the younjj;- were clue to appear an outbreak of septic 

 fever — a disease to which Blue-bonnets are highly susceptible 

 — carried off both jxarents and the odd bird as well. 



That winter 1 tried another pair, but they disappointed 

 me by strayihj^' off towards the end of February, staying in 

 the neighbourhood for a icw days and then vanishing com- 

 pletely. Unlike other Psephoti, Blue-bonnets seem well able 

 to fend for themselves, which probably accounts for their be- 

 ing far more inclined to wander when given full liberty. 



About six months later I (jbtained a dozen Blue- 

 bonnets, which seemed perfectly well on arrival, but which, 

 as a matter of precaution, I kept for somci timic in strict 

 quarantine. It was lucky I did so, for in about a fortnight 

 they began to die from what may be called " grey-parrot " 

 fever, as it is the disease which carries off new imported (jrey 

 Parrots in very large numbers. The symptoms closely re- 

 semble those of septic fever, but ihc period of incubation i^ 

 very much longer. Post mortem examination reveals the pres- 

 ence of a diplocoeeus in the blood, but there are none of 

 the small yellowish-white spots found on the internal organs in 

 cases of septic fever. 



Some of the siik birds were sent to .Scothind in order 

 that th< nature and progress of their complaint might be care- 

 fully studied in a laboratory. .Although no special care was 

 taken of them after arrival, as their case was considered hope- 

 less, one individual actually recovered —a very rare event, as 

 Grey- Parrot fever is fatal in ninety-nine cases out of a 

 hundred. 



Only a sint^le pair of HJuc-bonnels survived the out- 

 break and these I kept in an aviary until mid-winter. .\bout 

 tnat'time f received a particufarfy fine male P . Jiaematorrlious. 

 and after a few days 1 gave liini and the xaiitJmrrhoas cock 

 their liberty, believing that the presence of the hen would 

 induce them to stay, I was wrong, for the two gentlemen 

 were so pleased with each others' (■om])any thai they never 

 gave a thought to the imprisoned lady, and after indulging 

 with much ^usto in a spec ies of general engagement with 

 three Adelaides, a Pennant's, four Mealy Kosellas, two Brown'-, 



